Hanover council debates how to fill vacancy

Borough councilman Sonny Eline poses for a portrait by the Shepperd-Myers Dam. Eline is opposed to the tax increase on borough residents to pay for the reinforcement of the dam to adhere to EPA regulations.(Photo: Evening Sun-File)

Council members Henry McLin and Robert Marcoccio expressed concerns about the way Eline's resignation was announced both to council and residents.

Council President John Gerken sent an email Nov. 12 to fellow council members, borough staff and The Evening Sun announcing that Eline had submitted his resignation. He also noted in the email that fourth ward resident Marjorie Libertini had agreed to finish the remaining two years of Eline's term.

Council will consider accepting Eline's resignation, appointing a replacement and appointing a new vice president at the next meeting Nov. 24. Eline was serving as vice president at the time of his resignation.

Both McLin and Marcoccio wondered aloud during Wednesday's meeting, for which Libertini was present, whether the vacancy could have been advertised to the public.

Borough code gives very little stipulation on how to fill a vacancy, solicitor Jim Yingst said following the meeting. The code requires council to appoint someone to the position within 30 days of the letter having been turned in. However, it gives no indication about how a candidate should be chosen, he said.

Numerous people, including Libertini, were contacted in the search for a replacement after the letter, dated Oct. 28, was turned in, Gerken said last week.

McLin told Libertini following the meeting that his questions over her potential appointment were not meant to be personal.

"I think what they said was fair and I see nothing wrong with voicing that," Libertini said after speaking with McLin.

Should another fourth ward resident wish to be considered for the seat, he or she could plausibly make it known during public comment at the meeting Nov. 24, said Borough Manager Florence Ford said Wednesday. A member of council would then have to nominate that individual for the position.

If more than one person is nominated, council members could ask the candidates questions to help them arrive at an individual decision before taking a vote, Ford said. Still, whoever is selected by council would need to prove they have been a resident of Hanover Borough's fourth ward for at least a year, she said.

Another fourth ward representative, Raye Morris, resigned earlier this year. Scott Angel, who was running for Morris's seat in the November election, was sworn in shortly after the announcement was made.